July 20 -- Lay day on Mount Desert Island

Well we began the day with blueberry/mango pancakes (a Maine-Caribbean dish) and ended with blueberry pie. In  between we used the availability of Kenny's car to tour the island. In the morning we had a visit from the Marina's mechanic, who fixed the third burner of our propane Force 10 galley stove and its oven and broiler now work too. I helped and provided the tools. While open, we also cleaned grease away from the inside, where we cannot normally go. The bill for half an hour's work, an astonishingly low $32.50!
Our guests at the dock:

This was my first visit to the summit of Cadillac Mountain, the heart of Acadia National Park, given to the U.S. government by the Rockefeller family. This is the highest point, 1500 feet, which is very little compared to the Rocky Mountains but the highest Coastal elevation on the Atlantic. Its magnificent views put me in mind of why Isaiah, promising that the Lord would reward people for being good, said: "I will cause you to ride upon the high places of the earth."

There is a four hour hike to the top, and four back down unless you take the bus. We usually like to climb mountains, but this time, in high heat, we used the air conditioned car. Cadillac was the French explorer who later founded  the recently bankrupt Detroit, and after whom the luxury car is named. To the east, the summit overlooks Frenchman's Bay, including Schoodic Point, background right, around which we will head off for the Eastport trip.

and Bar Harbor, the white buildings on the near coast, and northern Frenchmans Bay:

The great harbor is the view to the south, including the Cranberrys: the two islands in the middle, with the one to the left being Little Cranberry, from which our last sunset shot was taken, looking toward here.

To the west is Blue Hill, which we will climb with Mendy. It is the peak in the haze above Kenny's head.

There is a paved 0.3 mile walking loop around the summit, paved with a concrete studded with bits of the pink granite that the mountain is made of, a portion of which is shown above.

Our other stop was a low spot: Bar Harbor, once a playground for one percenters and now overrun by tourists and souvenir shops. We lunched here in one of the rare restaurants that has air conditioning. It's Maine -- who needs air conditioning?!

Back to Southwest Harbor where we engaged in a successful quest to find a gym for Mendy, whose only regret about sailing with us is that it takes him from his gym. Barbara, who sailed with me and five others from City Island back in June, and who is putting Kenny up for the night because he slept poorly aboard, came by for some wine and cheese. We plan to anchor off her house which is on the NE side of this island, in a few days.

We all had diner at a unique SW Harbor eatery, the Quietside Ice Cream Shop, a storefront diner on Main Street,

 except the food is soooo good that it is always busy. (Lobster roll!) We visited in 2008 and hope to visit again. It is operated and owned by a lovely friendly black woman whose husband is retired military and whose daughters also served our nation. Pictures of them and herself with others line the walls. I mention her race only because, except for Portland, Maine is so overwhelmingly white. She has a lot of kids working there and the place has such a homey atmosphere. Not elegant ambiance but friendly and oh that blueberry pie!

Then farewell to Kenny who is driving back to New York tomorrow and a cool quiet night's sleep.